Documents of the Reformation

by John Wagner

Published 9 November 2018

An engaging and accurate introduction to the Protestant Reformation, told in the words of those who led it, opposed it, and lived it.

The Protestant Reformation was a pivotal event in world history and religion. Documents of the Reformation collects more than 60 primary documents that shed light on the personalities, issues, ideas, and events of the 16th-century upheaval and will help readers to understand how and why the Protestant Reformation began and transpired as it did.

The book is divided into 12 sections on topics such as indulgences, persecution, and women in the Reformation, each of which offers five document selections. Detailed introductions preceding the documents put them into historical context and explain why they are important, while a general introduction and chronology help readers to understand the Reformation in broad terms and to see causal connections. Bibliographies of current print and digital resources attend each document, and a general bibliography lists seminal works on the Reformation.


  • Offers readers an understanding of the origins and development of the Protestant Reformation, and the main beliefs and positions of both Catholics and Protestants and of the different branches of Protestantism, e.g., Lutheranism, Calvinism, and Anabaptism
  • Includes more than 60 defining primary document selections
  • Features a detailed chronology and a useful general bibliography as well as bibliographies specific to individual documents for directed study
  • Presents a detailed general Introduction that puts the Reformation as a movement into historical context as well as introductions specific to each document selection that contextualize individual selections within the scope of the work

This engaging collection of over 60 primary document selections sheds light on the personalities, issues, events, and ideas that defined and shaped life in England during the years of Shakespeare's life and career.

Documents of Shakespeare's England contains more than 60 primary document selections that will help readers understand all aspects of life in Elizabethan and Jacobean England. The book is divided into 12 topical sections, such as Politics and Parliament, London Life, and Queen and Court, which offer five document selections each. Each document is preceded by a detailed introduction that puts the selection into historical context and explains why it is important.

A general introduction and chronology help readers understand Shakespeare's England in broad terms and see connections, causes, and consequences. Bibliographies of current and useful print and electronic information resources accompany each document, and a general bibliography lists seminal works on Shakespeare's England. This is an engaging and accurate introduction to the England of William Shakespeare told in the words of those who experienced it.


  • Offers readers an understanding of the social, political, religious, economic, and cultural dimensions of England during the years in which William Shakespeare lived and worked
  • Includes more than 60 important and engaging primary document selections
  • Provides a detailed Chronology and a useful general bibliography as well as bibliographies specific to individual documents
  • Features a detailed general Introduction putting the broad topic of Shakespeare's England into context as well as introductions specific to each document selection, putting that selection into context
  • Focuses on the period that many modern Shakespearean and Elizabethan movies (e.g., Mary, Queen of Scots), plays, and television series (e.g., Reign) depict